Community Dynamics

Medicine Wheel at Redcliff groups consist of 6-8 clients and a minimum of two guides. Clients live and work side by side. By establishing the community in this manner, it simulates the dynamics that exist in family setting. As conflicts arise, guides and clinicians are afforded insight into how clients react in a “real world” setting. They can then process these experiences with clients and help direct them toward more effective ways of dealing with similar situations.

A client’s role within their wilderness community changes as they progress through the five curriculum stages with their individual treatment. How they cope with the difficulties encountered by their immediate community, and their personal contributions to this community, are diagnostic indicators of their self-appointed position in the larger community of their family or society. As the Medicine Wheel wilderness communities struggle to master actual problems, the individual client demonstrates the extent of his commitment to himself and to his community. This behavioral demonstration and rehearsal is much more valuable than just hearing the client say he intends to change his behavior as soon as he returns home.

Please explore our website or call an admissions counselor at (800) 898-1244 for additional information about how Medicine Wheel at RedCliff Ascent can help.